When writing on a Lap Desk there are many materials/surfaces used for the slope (or writing surface/area — also desks are sometimes called slopes). There is cloth, various linens, paper, leather, faux leather, velvet, wool, wood, plastic, fur, faux fur, and felt. There are also a number of ways to decorate these surfaces — theyContinue reading “Why is Writing Surface So Important for an Antique Lap Desk?”
Author Archives: TheBoxBoss
Why Do You Need an Antique Lap Desk/Slope in this Modern World?
Don’t know about you, but I wake up to over a hundred emails on my personal phone every morning. It ranges from ads, business email, and personal email. My house also has four laptop computers, two iPads, two Amazon Kindles, five Large Screen TV’s, four gaming systems, two work computers, two printers/scanners, and a cableContinue reading “Why Do You Need an Antique Lap Desk/Slope in this Modern World?”
A Bit of History Inside a Bit of History
An antique box I recently purchased from the UK came accompanied by a fascinating article about the history of the writing slope. I wanted to share an excerpt from that article with my followers, though regrettably, I do not know the source. If anyone can help me identify it, please let me know in theContinue reading “A Bit of History Inside a Bit of History”
The Easy Job!
A step-by-step slideshow to illustrate the tools, glues, and materials needed to fix this beautiful Walnut Lap Desk that just needs minor repair work.
The Trick of Veneer
In the repairs I have done, veneer is always the trickiest! The boxes that need repair are often hundreds of years old and need very specific wood and/or veneers in order to match the repair area properly. When I first started, I went to a couple of antique restorers and they would quote ridiculous pricesContinue reading “The Trick of Veneer”
Why are Lap Desks so Special?
Long ago when fast travel or communication meant that the horses were well feed, or the wind was in the right direction. In that time empires spanned the world and people born in places where far away was the next village. These travelers moved to the over side of the planet, toured the massiveness ofContinue reading “Why are Lap Desks so Special?”
The Value Box — Restoration and Re-Sell
Recently found an antique lap desk for sale in Canada — it had a number of needed repairs. The following are just some of the issues: 1) One slope lid was jammed inside box, 2) The leather slope had damage in multiple sections, 3) The hinges were in the incorrect place, 4) The baize neededContinue reading “The Value Box — Restoration and Re-Sell”
The Value of Tape — Tip for Restoration of Lap Desk Slopes
There are many lap desks that have significant damage to their leather slope because of age, lack of care, vandalism, and just plain overuse. These were the laptop computers of their age and many professionals who were traveling on train, horse, and boat used them. In many cases their history is fascinating — filled withContinue reading “The Value of Tape — Tip for Restoration of Lap Desk Slopes”
Putting Humpty Together Again
RESTORATION PROJECT: Unique Antique Lap Desk | Period Unknown (best guess 1850 to 1920) | Cost of Desk $88 | Cost of Materials used for Restoration $4 | 3 Hours of Labor | Resell value now $240 The story begins with a great deal on a unique lap desk found at an estate sale. WaitedContinue reading “Putting Humpty Together Again”
A Special Case
RESTORATION PROJECT: Large Antique Campaign Writing Lap Desk | Walnut Wood from the Victorian Period (1837 to 1901) | Initial Cost $277.50 | Cost of all Restoration Materials, and Services Used During Restoration $140.00 | Restored Value $1000 to $1500 The desk was a magnificent piece purchased from the United Kingdom from Robert Morrison Antiques.Continue reading “A Special Case”